CricDigs Blogs

It is said that the game of cricket is a great leveler. There is nothing unfair about it. But the same cannot be said about the people who run the game in this world. A few days back one of the bloggers talked about how there is bias against the players of certain (read Asian) countries. This cannot be explained any better than by the events happening during the ongoing Test series between Australia and India.

We all know what happened in the 3rd test and why Gambhir was banned for 1 test match. Watson instigated Gambhir by saying something and doing some gesture by his hand/arm, to which Gambhir replied by elbowing. So stupid of Gambhir to do that. Really! The one test ban was obvious. And the referee’s decision to slap that ban is correct and uncontested. Gambhir deliberately attacked physically for which he should be penalized, as per the rules that govern the game.

But that was where sanity ended. What was insane was the light punishment that Watson got away with (10% of match fee). But for a similar offense in the 2nd test match, Zaheer was fined 80% of his match fee.

If you think the above was unfair, wait until you wake up on the morning of Nov 4th to find complete insanity prevailing. Gambhir appealed against the ban, for which ICC setup a hearing. But guess what, the person in charge of the hearing did not conduct a hearing. Instead, he just upheld the ban on Gambhir without even giving him a chance at presenting his case. This sounded so similar to what used to happen in Colonial India before independence. The British used to accuse revolutionaries of crimes, and used to deliver death penalty without even having a court hearing.

Had there been a hearing, Gambhir would have been able to play in the 4th test match, and that would have made all the difference to Australia’s lost chances to salvage the series. Of course, a lost series in India would be terrible for the world’s number 1 test playing country. It would also mean that an Asian country had got the better of Australia, something which is unacceptable to the rulers of the game.

One thing that Gambhir and the rest of the Indian team will learn from this issue is… sledge smart. Sledge, curse, abuse, but do so outside the camera. Gambhir, a novice, did not realize it and paid a heavy price. Do it smartly, the Australian Way! This is what the Great World Champion Test Team from Australia teaches the young aspirants of this great game. Learn it, you stupid Gambhir!